“We have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world we seek,” he said. “A world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God’s children are respected.”

He dwelled on Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan but reserved some of his sharpest words for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He offered no major initiatives on the West Asia peace process although he put Israelis and Palestinians on notice that he intends to deal directly with what he sees as intransigence on key issues, asking both to shift ground significantly.

The speech in Cairo, which he called a “timeless city”, redeemed a promise he made nearly two years ago while running for President.

“I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition,” he said. “Instead, they overlap, and share common principles — principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.”

His message was sweeping and forceful — promoting democracy in Egypt, warning Israelis against building new settlements, and acknowledging that the US had fallen short of its ideals, particularly in the Iraq war. It also evoked a new and nuanced tone, and some of Obama’s language drew appreciative applause from his audience of 3,000 invited guests in the Major Reception Hall at Cairo University.

He spoke of “Palestine”, rather than the more ambiguous term often used by American leaders, “future Palestinian state”. And, in reference to the Palestinians, he pointedly mentioned “the daily humiliations... that come with occupation”.

He described the bond between the US and Israel as “unbreakable”, and urged Hamas, the Islamic militant group in control of the Gaza Strip, to stop violence. But in his next breath, Obama said Israel must curtail its expansion of West bank settlements and recognise Palestinian aspirations for statehood.

Obama said: “The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security,” he said.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, called it “a good start and an important step towards a new American policy”.

“America is not and never will be at war with Islam. We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security,” Obama said.

“I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear. But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire.”

“I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: Asalamu Alaikum,” Obama said.

Obama said the 9/11 attacks caused “enormous trauma to our country”. He reminded his audience that he has “unequivocally prohibited the use of torture” and has ordered the prison to be closed at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

The President divided his speech into seven sections. He touched on “sources of tension” from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, democracy, religious freedom, women’s rights and economic development and opportunity.

While the message touched upon a litany of challenges, it boiled down to simply this: Barack Hussein Obama was standing at the podium as the US President.

Excerpts from US President Barack Obama’s address to the Muslim world from Cairo:

On himself

I am a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and the fall of dusk.

On war

We did not go by choice, we went because of necessity. I am aware that some question or justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: al-Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations.

On Pakistan

... we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses...

On Iraq

Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world... Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future — and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. I have made it clear... that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq’s sovereignty is its own.

On Israel, Palestine

Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people... Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine’s. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop.

On iran, n-weapons

I strongly reaffirmed America’s commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. And any nation — including Iran — should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.